Georgia Tech #ProJackets Golf Report

THE FLATS – How Andy Ogletree rebuilt his golf swing after brutal hip surgery … What’s in store for Ogletree as his begins his rookie season in the LIV Golf series? … Lisa Cink comes full circle after cancer diagnoses at Farmers … Ross Steelman leading Tech contingent on Korn Ferry Tour … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.

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HOW LIV GOLF PRO REBUILT HIS SWING AFTER BRUTAL HIP SURGERY

Andy Ogletree is about to start the season as part of Phil Mickelson’s LIV Golf team, but if it wasn’t for a major swing rebuild, he wouldn’t be playing golf at all.

The 25-year-old spoke to bunkered about his ordeal after a torn labrum required surgery and a lengthy break from the game, in a wide-ranging interview.

For those of us interested in the mechanics of his swing, the interesting part comes after Ogletree’s surgery, where the former US Amateur champion had to completely change his action.

“I had to get a lot stronger, learn the new move and motion and trust it,” he said.

“It was a long process, but it’s made me a lot more aware of my body and positions in my golf swing. I learned more about the golf swing and what’s the safest way to swing.

“Learning all these things at a young age is huge. Most people my age haven’t been able to learn as much as me. It’s a blessing in disguise. I’m only 25-years-old and I hope to play golf for 20-plus years, and it can only help me.”

More from Bunkered

Getting ready for 4 weeks on the road! This was striped! @andy_ogletree ! @KWAYNE_FITNESS pic.twitter.com/LpsAOkvJnR

— Tony Ruggiero (@dewsweepergolf) July 31, 2023

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PREDICTIONS FOR 2024 LIV GOLF

Andy Ogletree will finish top 13 in points…

He led the International Series season-long standings in 2023, which is how he earned his ticket to the League in 2024. And he showed in Tulsa last year as a final-round substitute for Majesticks GC co-captain Lee Westwood that he’s more than capable to stepping up in class, shooting an 8-under 62. Now with a full ride, he’s going to make the most of it. Don’t be surprised if he leads the HyFlyers in most points.

More from LIV Golf

Andy Ogletree has had a unique pathway to the top of the game, by becoming just the 2nd player ever to qualify for the LIV Golf League via the International Series on the Asian Tour, where he’s now been selected by Phil Mickelson to play for the HyFlyers.

Andy is an exceptional… pic.twitter.com/N2hmc9HOKf

— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) January 25, 2024

20 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ANDY OGLETREE

Georgia Tech golf fans already knew these things, but ….

Andy Ogletree is one of the brightest talents in the game, having won the 2023 Asian Tour Player of the Year award just four years after lifting the US Amateur Championship trophy.

Ogletree now plays in the LIV Golf League as part of Phil Mickelson‘s HyFlyers GC team. Get to know him better with these 20 facts…

Andy Ogletree Facts: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About The LIV Golfer https://t.co/yhD6uFusJv

— Georgia Tech Golf (@GTGolf) January 29, 2024

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LISA CINK COMES FULL CIRCLE IN CANCER FIGHT AT FARMERS

In the quiet of a disquieting night at the sprawling MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Lisa Cink sat in a small, white room with her oncologist, doctor and PGA Tour-playing husband Stewart.

The group convened late, after much of the hospital had cleared, to walk through the results of a PET scan that would reveal the reach of her menacing breast cancer.

Fear and doubt swirled. Bracing for the unknown felt paralyzing.

“Dr. (Thomas) Buchholz said, and I remember what his face looked like, he said, ‘It’s in several places in your bones,’ ” Lisa said Tuesday at Torrey Pines. “I was like a puddle on the floor. It was absolutely terrifying when you hear those words, Stage 4. I thought, I’m going to die.”

That was 2016, seven years after Stewart Cink captured the British Open. As the Farmers Insurance Open prepares to roar to life Wednesday, it’s a sobering reminder that there are things far larger than birdies and bogeys.

Lisa Cink, wife of PGA Tour 8x winner @stewartcink, teaches lessons far beyond the course at the @FarmersInsOpen. Column: https://t.co/iP3T1F6x1h

— Bryce Miller (@Bryce_A_Miller) January 24, 2024

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STEELMAN OFF TO STRONG START ON KORN FERRY TOUR

Ross Steelman served notice that he will be a force to be reckoned with on the Korn Ferry Tour by tying for third place at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic in the Bahamas. It was a career-best finish in 10 events on the PGA Tour’s top feeder circuit, and he achieved it with a closing round of 9-under-par 63 at the Sandals Emerald Bay resort.

Last week at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, he was tied for first place after carding rounds after 36 holes before settling for a tie for 20^th, and sits No. 6 in the Korn Ferry Tour points race entering this weekend’s third event in Panama.

The 2003 graduate of Georgia Tech earned his status on the Korn Ferry Tour after finishing fourth in last year’s PGA Tour University rankings. The 6-foot-5 Steelman played in eight 2023 events, made four cuts and posted a high finish of a tie for 25^th place.

Also competing this week at the Panama Championship are Paul Haley II, Chris Petefish, Seth Reeves and Richy Werenski.

Korn Ferry Tour Leaderboard

Thriving in windy conditions 🌬️@Ross_Steelman‘s (T2) second round @BahamasKFTour:

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— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) January 22, 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS

• PGA Tour: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am • February 1-4, 2024 • Pebble Beach Golf Links • Pebble Beach, Calif. • Purse: $20M • FedEx Cup points: 700
• Korn Ferry Tour:  The Panama Championship • February 1-4, 2024 • Club de Golf de Panama • Panama City, Panama • Purse: $1M • KFT points: 500
• PGA Tour Champions:  Chubb Classic • February 16-18, 2023 • Tiburon Golf Club • Naples, Fla. • Purse: $1.8M
• PGA Tour Americas: Bupa Championship • March 21-24, 2024 • PGA Riviera Maya • Tulum, Mexico • Purse: $225K • Fortinet Cup points: n/a
• Asian Tour/International Series: International Series Oman • February 22-25, 2024 • Al Mouj Golf • Oman • Purse: $2M • Fortinet Cup points: n/a
• LIV Golf Series: Mayakoba • February 2-4, 2024 • El Camaleon Golf Club • Mayakoba, Mexico • Purse: $20M

#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

🎯 @ChessonHadley goes right at it to get within one of the lead @FarmersInsOpen. pic.twitter.com/jcz3uLdVdQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2024

“The last time I played with him, I shot 80 and he won the tournament, so.”@BahamasKFTour co-leader @ross_steelman shares his thoughts on @NickDunlap62 after his win at The American Express. pic.twitter.com/Sqmg3pmS7R

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) January 23, 2024